Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, Olayanju, Ipadeola Charge Oyo Assembly Correspondents On Election Coverage
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, House of Assembly chairman, committee on information, media and ICT, Hon Kazeem Olayanju and a media expert, Femi Ipadeola have charged journalists on reportage of electioneering campaign.
They gave the charge at the second edition of media parley and workshop organized for the Oyo State House of Assembly Correspondents.
The House Committee on Media, Communication, and ICT organized the seminar, which took place at Ibadan Business School, New Bodija.
The dialogue, according to Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, who was speaking to the media through Deputy Speaker Muhammad Fadeyi, is intended to develop and strengthen the already friendly connection between the state legislature and the reporters.
The Speaker said that the purpose of the seminar portion of the meeting is to remind journalists of their obligations as professionals, particularly as the country gears up for the general elections.
Hon. Ogundoyin, while acknowledging the role of the media, commended the House correspondents for the diligence and professionalism they have been exibiting in the reporting of the activities of the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly.
“We deemed it fit to organize a parley with our esteemed journalists because we realized their importance, worth and the pivotal roles you play as the watchdogs of the society.
“Suffice to say here that the aim of the parley is to further strengthen and deepen the cordial relationship existing between the state legislature and the media correspondents in the House. It will also provide avenue to receive feedback from you on our activities.
“On a final note, the first session of this parley, a lecture on the topic “Navigating the murky waters of Political Reportage and Election Coverage” is our own way of reminding you of your professional duties as the nation prepares for the 2023 General Elections,” the Speaker disclosed.
Hon. Ogundoyin reaffirmed that the House, under his direction, would continue to place a high priority on the welfare of the correspondents.
Speaking on the subject of “Navigating the murky waters of Political Reportage and Election Coverage,” media expert Femi Ipadeola urged journalists to be aware of their obligations, highlighting how the media has the capacity to shape or derail society’s destiny.
A journalist must be knowledgeable and must have a solid understanding of the dialectics and dynamism which define the environment in which he or she is functioning, according to Mr Ipadeola who is the former Acting Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, identifying how journalists might navigate the muddy waters.
“If you have a good grass of the dialectics and dynamics, your ability to navigate effectively will be increased.
“Secondly, every pressman especially political coverage journalist must be conversant with the media ethics that guide the electioneering campaign, it is called the Nigeria Media Code of the Election Coverage”.
“Everybody must have a copy of that and study it, not read but study it properly”.
“Others have to do with sagacity, discernment and wisdom, with these four basics, I think you will have conquered 70 percent of the demons that awaits you in that murky waters.”
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Media and ICT, Hon. Qosim Olayanju, expressed his gratitude to the correspondents for timely reporting of the activities and projecting the image of the House, which he said have made their job and tasks easier.
He appeal that the existing cordial relationship between the correspondents and the lawmakers is sustained even beyond our political offices.
Some of the lawmakers in attendance are Hon. Dele Adeola, Hon. Akeem Adedibu, Hon. Rasaq Mabaje, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Alhaji Oyekunle Oyetunji and Clerk of the Committee, as well as other staff of the House of Assembly.
